Peroxidic perfluoropolyethers

ABSTRACT

Peroxidic perfluoropolyethers having formula: 
 
X 1 —O(CF 2 O) n1 (CF 2 CF 2 O) m1 (CF 2 (CF 2 ) z CF 2 O) p1 (O) h —X 2   (I)
wherein: 
         X 1  and X 2 , equal to or different from each other, are chain end groups selected among —CF 2 COF, —COF, —SO 2 F; n1, m1, p1 and h are integers such that the number average molecular weight is in the range 700-100,000; z=1 or 2; with the proviso that: the m1/n1 ratio is between 0.2 and 10; the p1/(n1+m1) ratio is lower than 0.05; the h/(n1+m1+p1) ratio is such that the PO content, defined as grams of active oxygen/100 g of compound, is in the range 0.8-4.5, preferably 1.4-3.8; the perfluorooxyalkylene units being statistically distributed along the polymeric chain.

The present invention relates to peroxidic perfluoropolyethers containing functional end groups, the process for their preparation and the compounds obtained therefrom.

Specifically the peroxidic perfluoropolyethers are bifunctional, i.e. have functionality F equal to 2 and contain exclusively end groups of —CF₂COF and —COF and SO₂F type.

The peroxidic perfluoropolyethers of the present invention having functionality F=2 by chemical reduction allow to prepare non peroxidic perfluoropolyethers having functionality wqual to 2, useful as macromers to produce copolymers for polycondensation or polyaddition reactions with improved mechanical properties, or usable as lubricants with improved surface adhesion properties.

It is known that the peroxidic perfluoropolyethers of the prior art show, at least partly, unfunctionalized chain end groups, generally selected from —CF₃, —C₂F₅, —C₃F₈, —CF₂Cl, —CF₂CF₂Cl.

The peroxidic perfluoropolyethers, subjected to chemical reduction reaction, give functional perfluoropolyether derivatives. The chemical reduction reaction indeed converts every single peroxidic unit into two functionalized end groups. However the chemical reduction does not impart the unfunctional end groups present in the initial peroxidic perfluoropolyether and therefore said end groups remain unchanged in the functional derivative, reducing the functionality degree thereof.

The average functionality F of the perfluoropolyether derivative is calculated by the following formula:

F=2× (functional-end groups/total end groups).

From the formula the maximum value of the functionality equal to 2 corresponds to a mixture of macromers wherein each macromer molecule has both end groups functional. The presence of unfunctional end groups deriving from the peroxidic perfluoropolyether reduces the average functionality to values lower than 2. In said case the macromer mixture contains a part of molecules showing at least one unfunctional end group, i.e. monofunctional molecules and in a lower amount molecules having both end groups unfunctional.

The presence of these compounds is undesired when the macromer mixture is used to prepare polycondensation polymers, since they limit the molecular weight of the polymers and therefore they do not allow to obtain high mechanical properties.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,354,922 describes the synthesis of peroxidic perfluoropolyethers and of functional derivatives obtainable therefrom. In the patent it is stated that to obtain high functionality compounds it is necessary to synthesize peroxidic perfluoropolyethers showing, with the same peroxide content, higher molecular weights. In this way the amount of unfunctional end groups in the corresponding derivative is reduced. The Examples show that it is however not possible to obtain derivatives with functionality equal to 2. From an industrial point of view the use in a plant of peroxidic raw compounds having a high molecular weight, and therefore with high viscosity, implies various inconveniences. For example difficulties arise in pumping these fluids; besides it can take place the separation of the peroxidic polymer from the reaction solvent with consequent risk of cloggings of the pipes, jeopardizing the thermal exchange efficiency. Under said conditions it can easily occur the uncontrolled degradation of the peroxidic polymer.

The need was felt to have available a process to obtain peroxidic raw compounds having functionality F equal to 2, so to directly obtain, by chemical reduction, bifunctional derivatives substantially free from the corresponding monofunctional and non functional derivatives, avoiding the drawbacks of the prior art processes.

It has been unexpectedly and surprisingly found by the Applicant a process solving the above technical problem utilizing peroxidic perfluoropolyethers having functionality F equal to 2.

An object of the present invention are peroxidic perfluoropolyethers having functionality F=2 of formula: X₁—O(CF₂O)_(n1)(CF₂CF₂O)_(m1)(CF₂(CF₂)_(z)CF₂O)_(p1)(O)_(h)—X₂  (I)

wherein:

-   -   X₁ and X₂, equal to or different from each other, are chain end         groups selected among —CF₂COF, —COF and —SO₂F;     -   n1, m1, p1 and h are integers such that the number average         molecular weight is in the range 700-100,000, preferibilmente         1,500-40,000;     -   z=1 or 2;

with the proviso that:

-   -   the m1/n1 ratio is between 0.2 and 10;     -   the p1/(n1+m1) ratio is lower than 0.05;     -   the h/(n1+m1+p1) ratio is such that the PO content, defined as         grams of active oxygen/100 g of compound, is in the range         0.8-4.5, preferably 1.4-3.8;

the perfluorooxyalkylene units being statistically distributed along the polymeric backbone.

The peroxidic perfluoropolyethers of formula (I) have functionality 2 and can be used as polymerization initiators for preparing (per)fluoroelastomers or crystalline or partially crystalline (per) fluoropolymers. For example, as it is well known, the various types of fluoroelastomers are used in the fields wherein very good elastic properties combined with high chemical and thermal stability are required. They are copolymers based on vinylidene fluoride (VDF) and/or tetrafluoroethylene (TFE), wherein said monomers are copolymerized with other ethylenically unsaturated fluorinated monomers, as hexafluoropropene (HFP), perfluoroakylvinylethers (PAVE), chlorotrifluoroethylene (CTFE), etc, or with non fluorinated monomers with ethylene unsaturation, as ethylene and propylene. The fluoroelastomers are usually prepared by aqueous emulsion polymerization with radical initiators.

The peroxidic (per)fluoropolyethers (PFPEs) of formula (I) are mixture of compounds having different molecular weights and different end groups selected from those defined above. By fractional distillation, e.g. molecular distillation, or by extraction or chromatography separation it is possible to obtain different fractions of said compounds.

In order to obtain peroxidic PFPEs of formula (I) having —SO₂F end groups, the PFPEs (I) can, for example, be subjected to fluorination and then to the separation methods as described above.

A further object of the present invention is a process for preparing peroxidic perfluoropolyethers having functionality F=2, of the following formula: X₁—O(CF₂O)_(n1)(CF₂CF₂O)_(m1)(CF₂(CF₂)_(z)CF₂O)_(p1)(O)_(h)—X₂  (I)

wherein:

-   -   X₁ and X₂, equal to or different from each other, are chain end         groups selected among —CF₂COF, —COF and —SO₂F;     -   n1, m1, p1 and h are integers such that the number average         molecular weight is in the range 700-100,000, preferably         1,500-40,000;     -   z=1 or 2;

with the proviso that:

-   -   the m1/n1 ratio is between 0.2 and 10;     -   the p1/(n1+m1) ratio is lower than 0.05;     -   the h/(n1+m1+p1) ratio is such that the PO content, defined as         grams of active oxygen/100 g of compound, is in the range         0.8-4.5, preferably 1.4-3.8;

the perfluorooxyalkylene units being statistically distributed along the polymeric chain;

said process carried out by photooxidation, in the presence of CF₂═CFSO₂F (perfluoroethylen sulphonyl fluoride, PFESF), of tetrafluoroethylene (TFE) in the presence of UV light having wave length between 200 and 350 nm, at a temperature in the range from −30° C. to −100° C., by using solvents, liquid under the reaction conditions, selected from perfluorocarbons and (mono)hydrofluorocarbons, having the following general formula C_(y)F_((2y+2−x))H_(x)  (II)

wherein y is an integer from 2 to 4; x is an integer equal to 0 or 1;

or related mixtures.

The process can be carried out in a semicontinuous or continuous way, by feeding in the reaction solvent TFE and oxygen in molar excess with respect to TFE, said molar ratio being for example from 1.1 up to 3, and by contemporaneously feeding PFESF, at the gaseous or liquid state, with flow rates such that the molar ratio PFESF/TFE is between 0.005 and 0.05, preferably from 0.01 to 0.1, extremes included. It has been surprisingly and unexpectedly found by the Applicant that by using the above mentioned molar ratios the PFESF does not enter the chain, not even in traces; Therefore by operating under said conditions, only peroxidic perfluoropolyethers of formula (I) are obtained, wherein the functional —COF or —SO₂F end groups (see X₁ and X₂ in formula (I)) are present as chain end groups. If PFESF entered the chain, there would be also the formation of peroxidic perfluoropolyethers wherein the —SO₂F end groups are prevailingly pendant from the backbone. Under these conditions the separation of these compounds from those of formula (I) would be practically impossible.

Among the solvents of formula (II) those selected from the compounds of the following group are preferred: perfluoropropane (C₃F₈), hydropentafluoroethane (C₂F₅H) and 2-hydroheptafluoropropane (CF₃CFHCF₃), or related mixtures.

The olefin PFESF is prepared according to well known methods of the prior art. For exemplificative purposes U.S. Pat. No. 3,041,317 and the publication by R. E. Banks et al., Journal of the Chemical Society (C), 1966, pages 1171-1179 can be mentioned.

A further object of the present invention are bifunctional non peroxidic perfluoropolyethers, i.e. with functionality F equal to 2, obtainable by chemical reduction of the peroxidic perfluoropolyethers of formula (I), having formula: Y₁—O(CF₂O)_(n1)(CF₂CF₂O)_(m1)(CF₂(CF₂)_(z)CF₂O)_(p1)—Y₂  (III)

wherein:

z is as above;

n1, m1 and p1 are integers such that the number average molecular weight is in the range 400-20,000, preferably 450-10,000;

with the proviso that:

-   -   the m1/n1 ratio is in the range 0.2-10;     -   the p1/(n1+m1) ratio is lower than 0.05;

Y₁ and Y₂ are end groups —CF₂COX^(A), equal to or different from each other, wherein X^(A) is F, OH, OR, wherein R is CH₃ or C₂H₅;

the perfluorooxyalkylene units being statistically distributed along the polymeric chain.

The (per)fluoropolyethers (PFPES) of formula (III) are mixture of compounds having different molecular weights and different end groups selected from those defined above. By fractional distillation, e.g. molecular distillation, or by extraction or chromatography separation it is possible to obtain different fractions of said compounds.

The chemical reduction of the compounds of formula (I) is carried out according to known processes, as described for example in patents U.S. Pat. No. 4,451,646 and U.S. Pat. No. 3,847,978. As chemical reducing agents, it can for example be mentioned: hydriodic acid; hydrogen in the presence of catalysts, as palladium on carbon; primary and secondary alcohols optionally in the presence of an aluminum alcoholate; primary and secondary alcohols in the presence of transition metal salts, for example copper or cobalt; hydrides; complex boron and aluminum hydrides; SO₂, H₂S and the related salts with alkaline metals; hydrazine; hydroxylamine; phosphorous acid, hypophosphorous acid and their salts; iron, tin, SnCl2 The reduction is carried out at temperatures in the range from −300 to 250° C. and at pressures between 1 atm and 200 atm, optionally in the presence of a solvent or of a dispersant.

A further object of the present invention are non peroxidic perfluoropolyethers with functionality F equal to 2, obtainable from the perfluoropolyoxyalkylenes of formula (II-I), by the reactions described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,810,874, U.S. Pat. No. 4,721,795, U.S. Pat. No. 4,757,145, having formula: T_(k)-A_(q)—CF₂—O(CF₂O)_(n1)(CF₂CF₂O)_(m1)(CF₂(CF₂)_(z)CF₂O)_(p1)—CF₂-A_(q)-T_(k)  (IV)

wherein

A is a linking bridge bound to the end group —CF₂— of the pefluoropolyether chain,

T represents one or more functional groups;

k and q are integers, k ranges from 1 to 4, preferably from 1 to 2, q is an integer from 0 to 1;

z is as above;

n1, m1 and p1 are integers such that the number average molecular weight is in the range 400-20,000, preferably 450-10,000;

with the proviso that:

-   -   the m1/n1 ratio is between 0.2 and 10;     -   the p1/(n1+m1) ratio is lower than 0.05;

with the proviso that when q=0 and k=1, T is different from COX^(A) as above.

A is a linking bivalent radical between the perfluoromethylene group of the fluorinated chain and the end group T. Preferably A is a linear aliphatic group —(CH₂)_(m′)— wherein m′ is an integer from 1 to 20, or (alkylen)cycloaliphatic, (alkylen)aromatic; A an optionally contain heteroatoms in the alkylene chain or in the ring when A contains cyclic structures; A can optionally be both a linear and branched polyalkylenoxy chain, in particular containing repeating units of the CH₂CH₂O, CH₂CH(CH3) , (CH₂)₃O, (CH₂)₄O type. The linking bridge A can contain amidic groups, ester, ether, COO, sulphur, imine groups.

In A the number of carbon atoms of the cycloaliphatic groups ranges from 3 to 20, preferably from 4 to 6 and that of the aromatic groups from 6 to 20; preferably from 6 to 12, the group A can optionally be formed also by combining among each other the aliphatic, cycloaliphatic and aromatic groups as above.

The linking group of A with the perfluoromethylene group of the fluorinated chain can be for example: —C—; —O—; —CONR—, wherein R has the following meanings: H, C₁-C₁₅ alkyl, C₃-C₁₅, cycloaliphatic or C₆-C₁₅ aromatic groups; —CO₂—; —COS—; —CO—; one heteroatom; or triazine, or heterocyclic aromatic groups having 5 or 6 atoms containing 2 or more heteroatoms, equal to or different from each other.

T is an end group which makes bi- or polyfunctional the structure, depending on the value of k. When T is a reactive chemical end group and k=1, the perfluoropolyethers of formula (IV) having functionality F=2 are used as macromers to produce polymers for polycondensation or polyaddition reactions having improved mechanical properties. When T is a reactive chemical end group and k>1 the perfluoropolyethers of formula (IV) are used as macromers to produce for example star polymers for polycondensation or polyaddition reactions with improved mechanical properties.

Said compounds of formula (IV) with reactive end groups T can be used to treat surfaces of natural and artificial substrata; paper, cotton, wood, stone materials, polymeric materials, metal or inorganic substrata can be mentioned.

When T is an unreactive chemical end group the perfluoropolyethers of formula (IV) having functionality F=2 are used as lubricants with improved surface adhesion properties.

In particular T can be for example: —SH, —SR′, —NR′₂, —COOH, —SiR′_(d)Q_(3-d), —CN, —NCO, CH═CH₂,

—COR′, —OSO₂CF₃, —OCOCl, —OCN, —N(R′)CN, —(O)COC(O)—, —I , —CHO, —CO, —CH(OCH₃)₂, —SO₂Cl, —C(OCH₃)═NH, —C(NH₂)═NH, —CH(OH)CH₂OH, —CH(COOH)₂, —CH(COOR′)₂, —CH(CH₂OH)₂, —CH(CH₂NH₂)₂, —CH(CN)₂, —CH(CH₂OCH₂CH═CH₂)₂, an aromatic radical substituted with a methylendioxy group:

—OH, with the proviso that A is different from methylene and from a polyalkylenoxy chain as above; wherein R′ is an alkyl, cycloaliphatic or aromatic group, R′ optionally contains fluorine, Q is an OR′ group, d is an integer between 0 and 3.

The compounds of formula (IV) are prepared from the compounds of formula (III) by known reactions, for example by using the reactants or the reaction conditions as described hereinafter. A_(q)-T_(k) in formula (IV) (q = 1; k = 1) Reactant/reaction conditions 1 —CONHCH₂—CH═CH₂ H₂NCH₂—CH═CH₂ 2 —CONH(CH₂)₃CO₂H H₂N(CH₂)3CO₂H 3 —CON(CH₃)CH₂CH₂OH HN(CH₃)CH₂CH₂OH 4 —CONHCH₂CH₂NH₂ H₂NCH₂CH₂NH₂ 5 —CONHCH₂CH₂SH H₂NCH₂CH₂SH 6 —CONH(CH₂)₃Si(OCH₃)₃ H₂N(CH₂)₃Si(OCH₃)₃ 7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

(1)

(2) Heating 16

(1)

(2) Heating 17

(1)

(2) Heating 18

(1) (2) H₂NNHCOC(CH)₃═CH₂Dehydration 19 —CO₂CH₂C(CH₃)₂CH₂OH HOCH₂C(CH₃)₂CH₂OH 20 —CO₂CH₂CH(OH)CH₃

21 —CO₂CH₂CH═CH₂ CH₂═CHCH₂OH 22 —CN (1) NH₃ (2) Dehydration 23

(1) (2) (3) NH₃Dehydration

(4) (CH₂═CHCO)₂O 24

Compound 22 + NH₃ 25

(1) (2) LiAlH₄

26

(1) LiAlH₄ (2) Epibromohydrin 27 —CH₂—O—CH₂CH═CH₂ (1) LiAlh₄ (2) CH₂═CHCH₂Br 28

(1) (2) LiAlH₄

29 —CH₂OSO₂F (1) L.iAIH4 (2) CF₃SO₂F + (C₂H₅)₃N 30 —CH₂OCN (1) LiAlH₄ (2) NCCl + (C₂H₅)₃N 31

(1) Compound 29 +

(2) H₂ 32

Compound 31 + phosgene 33

(1) Compound 29 +

(2) Hydrolysis (3) Acetic anhydride 34

(1) Compound 29 +

(2) ClCN + triethylamine 35 —C(NH₂)═NH Compound 22 + NH₃ 36 —CH₂NCO (1) Compound 29 + NH₃ (2) COCl₂ 37 —CH₂NHCH₃ Compound 29 + CH₃NH₂ 38

(1) (2) Compound 29 + NH₃

39

Compound 38 + HSi(CH₃)₂OCOCH₃ + H₂PtCl₆ 40 —CH₂OCOC(CH₃)═CH₂ (1) LiAlH₄ (2) CH₂═C(CH₃)COCl 41 —CH₂I Compound 29 + NaI 42 —CH₂SH (1) Compound 29 + CH₃COSNa (2) Hydrolysis 43 —CH₃N⁺═C⁻ (1) Compound 29 + NH₃ (2) HCO₂CH₃ (3) COCl₂ + (C₂H₅)₃N 44 —NCO (1) NaN₂ (2) Heating 45 —COC₆H₅ Cd(C₆H₅)₂ 46 —C(CH₃)₂OH (1) CH₂MgBr (2) H⁺ 48 —C(CH₃)═CH₂ Compound 46 + P₂O₅ 49 —CH₂N(CN)CHH₃ Compound 37 + ClCN + (C₂H₅)₃N 50 —I (1) Ag₂O (2) I₂ 51 —CH═CH₂ Compound 47 + CH₂═P(C₆H₅)₃ 52 —C(OCH₃)═NH Compound 22 + CH₂OH + (C₂H₅)₃N 53 —CH₃SO₂Cl Compound 42 + Cl₂ + H₂O 54 —CH(OCH₃)₂ Compound 47 + CH₃OH + acid 55

Compound 29 +

56

Compound 55 + ClSO₃H

The compounds obtainable from the peroxidic perfluoro-polyethers of formula (I) by elimination of the peroxidic bridges have, as said, formula (III) or (IV). These compounds have functionality F=2. This represents a remarkable advantage since it allows to obtain polycondensation polymers, for example polyamides and polyesters, having the desired mechanical properties since the polymerization can proceed until obtaining the desired molecular weights.

In fact it is well known that the commercially compounds of this class in the market generally consist of mixtures of monofunctional and bifunctional species, optionally containing also lower amounts of non functional species. The average functionality F of the mixture can be determined for example by ¹⁹F-NMR and it is generally between 1.90 and, at most, 1.98 (functional end groups per molecule). In particular, for example, in the compound commercially known as FOMBLIN® Z DOL having the following structure: HOCH₂CF₂O(CF₂CF₂O)_(a), (CF₂O)_(b), (CF₂ (CF₂)_(z)CF₂O)_(c), CF₂CH₂OH with a′/b′=0.5-1.5, the units with index c′ are present in an amount of the order of 1% by weight, z has the above meaning, the content in bifunctional species is about 90-95%, the remaining species being constituted by monofunctional or non functional perfluoropolyoxyalkylenes. The perfluoro-polyoxyalkylene diol can be used as macromonomer for preparing both thermoplastic, linear and crosslinked polyurethane, polyester and polyether copolymers. In case of linear polymers the presence of monofunctional species in the monomeric mixture prevents to reach high molecular weights, thus with the worsening of mechanical properties of the end product. For crosslinked polymers the presence of monofunctional species determines an irregular formation of the tridimensional reticule, with worsening of chemical and mechanical resistance of the end product. This occurs when the functionality is lower than 2. It is therefore of great industrial interest to have available monomers and macromonomers having a functionality 2, as those of formula (III) of the present invention.

As said, the perfluoropolyether derivatives of formula (IV) have F=2. The compounds of formula (IV) wherein the end group is not reactive, can be used as internal and external lubricants in magnetic discs. These compounds show improved properties compared with the lubricants marketed by the Applicant, as for example Fomblin® AM 2001 and AM 3001, wherein the functionality F is lower than 2. As a matter of fact in said commercial compounds the bifunctional compound is in admixture with monofunctional and neutral compounds. The separation of the bifunctional compounds from those monofunctional in these compounds is not feasible.

Besides the perfluoropolyethers obtainable by elimination of the peroxide from the perfluoropolyethers of formula (I), for example by thermal treatment, and after fluorination of the functional end groups, are completely free from chlorine and contain only perfluoroalkyl end groups. Said compounds are usable as fluids for optical applications, since they show a low aborption of UV radiation at wave lengths lower than 250 nm.

By treating the compounds of formula (I) with alkaline metal fluorides, for example KF, at temperatures from 50° C. up to 200° C., optionally in the presence of solvents inert in the reaction environment, peroxidic perfluoropolyethers are obtained with functionality F=2 having formula: X₃—O(CF₂O)_(n1)(CF₂CF₂O)_(m1)(CF₂(CF₂)_(z)CF₂O)_(p1)(O)_(h)—X₃  (IA)

wherein:

-   -   X₃=—CF₂COF;     -   n1, m1, p1 and h are integers such that the number average         molecular weight is in the range 700-100,000, preferably         1,500-40,000;     -   z=1 or 2;

with the proviso that:

-   -   the m1/n1 ratio is between 0.2 and 10;     -   the p1/(n1+m1) ratio is lower than 0.05;     -   the h/(n1+m1+p1) ratio is such that the PO content, defined as         grams of active oxygen/100 g of compound, is between 0.8 and         4.5, preferably between 1.4 and 3.8;

the perfluorooxyalkylene units being statistically distributed along the polymeric chain.

The chemical reduction of the compounds of formula (IA) can be carried out according to known processes as, for example, described for the compounds of formula (I), obtaining the perfluoropolyoxyalkylenes of formula (III).

The peroxidic pefluoropolyethers of formula (IA) find the same applications as the peroxidic perf luoropolyethers of formula (I).

The following Examples illustrate with non limitative purposes the present invention.

EXAMPLES

Analytical Methods

Method of Determination of the Peroxide Content (PO)

The analysis of the peroxide content is carried out according to the following method: a weighed polymer amount (some grams) is dissolved in about 20 ml of Galden ZT 180, 1 ml of acetic acid and 30 ml of a sodium iodide solution at 5% in isopropyl alcohol are added. It is put under strong stirring for 15 minutes and the developed iodine is titred with an aqueous solution of sodium thiosulphate with a known titre, using a potentiometric titration instrument Mettler DL40 equipped with platinum electrode and reference electrode.

The peroxide content (PO) is expressed in grams of active oxygen (MW=16) per 100 grams of polymer.

Determination of the Kinematic Viscosity

The kinematic viscosity measurements have been carried out with Cannon-Fenske type viscometers, previously calibrated at 20° C. The values are expressed in cSt.

Determination of the Molecular Weight and of the End Groups by ¹⁹F-NMR

The number average molecular weight and the relative percentages of the various end groups have been determined by ¹⁹F-NMR spectroscopy, by using an instrument working at a 400 MHz frequency.

The spectrum allows to differentiate the signals due to the fluorine atoms bound to the chain end groups and to the repeating units present in the polymeric chain. From the ratio between the integrals of the fluorine atoms of the end groups and of the chain units the number average molecular weight is calculated; from the integrals of the various end groups the relative percentages of the same end groups are obtained.

Calculation of the Functionality F of the Compound

On the basis of the results of the ¹⁹F-NMR analysis the functionality F is calculated from the following ratio: $F = {2 \times \frac{{amount}\quad{of}\quad{functional}\quad{end}\quad{groups}}{{amount}\quad{of}\quad{total}\quad{end}\quad{groups}}}$

Example 1

Synthesis of the Peroxidic Perfluoropolyether

A 500 cc cylindrical photochemical reactor is used, equipped inside with coaxial quartz sheath wherein a high pressure mercury lamp. (Hanau TQ 150) is inserted; it is cooled by a circulating fluid (Galden® D100) transparent to UV radiations emitted by the lamp, equipped furthermore with a condenser maintained at −75° C. and with feeding lines of the reacting gases.

The reactor is cooled to −40° C. by an external bath and charged with 780 g of 2-hydroheptafluoropropane (R 227 ea) One starts then to feed 12.0 Nl/h of oxygen and immediately after the UV lamp is switched on. Then 6.0 Nl/h of tetrafluoroethylene are fed in admixture with 3.3 g/h of CF₂═CFSO₂F (perfluoroethylen sulphonyl fluoride); the reactant flow rates are maintained constant for the whole duration of the test (120 minutes) , maintaining the reactor temperature at −40° C.

When the reaction is over the reactant feeding is interrupted, the UV lamp is switched off and the solvent and the gaseous by-products are let evaporate. The remained compound, after degassing, weighs 17 g and has a peroxidic content (PO), determined by iodometric analysis, equal to 1.3 g of active oxygen/100 g of polymer and a kinematic viscosity of 24 cSt. Tbe ¹⁹F-NMR analysis confirms the following structure: X₁—O (CF₂O)_(n1)(CF₂CF₂O)_(m1)(CF₂(CF₂)_(z)CF₂O)_(p1)(O)_(h)—X₂ wherein the end groups —X₁ and —X₂, equal to or different from each other, are —CF₂COF, —COF, —SO₂F; the number average molecular weight is 1,200; h/(n1+m1+p1)=0.086; p1/(m1+n1)=0.02; m1/n1=0.73; z=1 or 2. The ratio between the OSO₂F end groups and the sum of the —CF₂COF and —COF end groups is equal to 1. No units are found in the chain deriving from PFESF.

The functionality F of the compound is equal to 2.

Example 2

Chemical Reduction of the Peroxidic Perfluoropolyether

10 g of the compound obtained in the Example 1 are diluted in 40 ml of CF₂ClCFCl₂ and introduced in a flask equipped with mechanical stirrer, condenser, dropping funnel and thermometer. 20 ml of CH₃OH are added to the solution, it is put under stirring and the flask is heated with an external bath to 45° C. 10 ml of an aqueous solution of HI at 57% by weight are gradually added by the dropping funnel. When the dropping is over the mixture is maintained for two hours under stirring at 45° C.

The mixture is then transferred in a separatory funnel, the lower phase is separated and washed with a solution 0.01 N of sodium thiosulphate to remove the residual iodine. After the solvent evaporation 7.1 g of a compound are obtained, which at the ¹⁹F-NMR analysis shows to have the following structure: Y₁—O(CF₂O)_(n1)(CF₂CF₂O)_(m1)(CF₂(CF₂)_(z)CF₂O)_(p1)—Y₂ wherein Y₁ and Y_(2,) equal to or different from each other, are functional end groups of the —CF₂COOCH₃ and —CF₂COOH type; the m1/n1 ratio=0.59; p1/(m1+n1)=0.02; z=1 or 2; the number average molecular weight is 560. The functionality F of the compound is equal to 2.

Example 2A

Transformation of the —OSO₂F End Groups into —CF₂COF End Groups

5 g of peroxidic perfluoropolyether are introduced in a glass flask equipped with magnetic stirring and a bubbling inlet for the nitrogen feeding. Then 0.3 g of CsF are added, it is put under stirring and nitrogen is fed with a flow rate equal to 5 Nl/h. The flask is then heated with an external bath at 120° C. for two hours. After cooling, the compound is filtered to remove the caesium fluoride.

3.5 g of compound are recovered after degassing having a peroxidic content (PO) of 1.4 g of active oxygen/100 g of polymer. The 19F-NMR analysis confirms the following structure: F(O)CCF₂—O(CF₂O)_(n1)(CF₂CF₂O)_(m1)(CF₂(CF₂)_(z)CF₂O)_(p1)(O)_(h)—CF₂C(O)F wherein the number average molecular weight is 1,130; h/(n1+m1)=0.095, m1/n1=0.71 and p1/(n1+m1)=0.02. The ¹⁹F-NMR analysis does not point out other kinds of end groups (F=2).

Example 3 (Comparative)

Synthesis of the Peroxidic Perfluoropolyether

The synthesis described in the Example 1 is repeated without adding the perfluoroethylen sulphonil fluoride comonomer and using as solvent dichlorodifluoromethane (R12) in the amount of 720 g.

17 g of compound are obtained, after degassing of the reaction mixture. The peroxidic content (PO) is equal to 2.0 g of active oxygen/100 g of polymer. The kinematic viscosity is 160 cSt.

The ¹⁹F-NMR analysis confirms the following structure: T₁—O(CF₂O)_(n2)(CF₂CF₂O)_(m2)(CF₂(CF₂)_(z)CF₂O)_(p2)(O)_(h)-T₂ wherein the end groups -T₁ and -T₂, equal to or different from each other, are —CF₂Cl (35% by moles), —CF₂CF₂Cl (25% by moles), —CF₃ (5% by moles), —CF₂COF (15% by moles), —COF (20% by moles); the number average molecular weight is 6,500; h/(n2+m2+p2)=0.117, m2/n2=0.85; p2/(n2+m2)=0.025, z=1 or 2.

The functionality F is 0.70.

Example 4 (Comparative)

Chemical Reduction of the Peroxidic Perfluoropolyether

10 g of the compound obtained in the previous Example are diluted in 40 ml of CF₂ClCFCl₂ and introduced in a flask equipped with mechanical stirrer, condenser, dropping funnel and thermometer. 20 ml of CH₃OH are added to the solution, it is put under stirring and the flask is heated by an external bath to 45° C. By the dropping funnel 12 ml of aqueous solution of HI at 57% by weight are gradually added. Then the mixture is maintained for two hours under stirring at 45° C.

The mixture is then transferred in a separatory funnel, the lower phase is separated and washed with a solution 0.01 N of sodium thiosulphate to remove the residual iodine.

After the solvent evaporation 7.5 g of a compound are obtained, which at the ¹⁹F-NMR analysis shows to have the following structure: T3—O(CF₂O)_(n3)(CF₂CF₂O)_(m3)(CF₂(CF₂)_(z)CF₂O)_(p3)-T4 wherein the end groups T3 and T4, equal to or different from each other, are —CF₂COOCH₃ and —CF₂COOH, —CF₂Cl, —CF₂CF₂Cl, —CF₃. m3/n3=0.61; p3/(n3+m3)=0.02; z=1 or 2; the number average molecular weight is 760.

The functionality F of the compound is 1.87. 

1. Peroxidic perfluoropolyethers having functionality F=2 and formula: X₁—O(CF₂O)_(n1)(CF₂CF₂O)_(m1)(CF₂(CF₂)_(z)CF₂O)_(p1)(O)_(h)—X₂  (I) wherein: Xhd 1 and X₂, equal to or different from each other, are chain end groups selected among —CF₂COF, —COF, —SO₂F; n1, m1, p1 and h are integers such that the number average molecular weight is in the range 700-100,000, preferibilmente 1,500-40,000; z=1 or2; with the proviso that: the m1/n1 ratio is between 0.2 and 10; the p1/(n1+m1) ratio is lower than 0.05; the h/(n1+m1+p1) ratio is such that the PO content, defined as grams of active oxygen/100 g of compound, is in the range 0.84.5, preferably 1.4-3.8; the perfluorooxyalkylene units being statistically distributed along the polymeric chain.
 2. A process for preparing peroxidic perfluoropolyethers of formula: X₁—O(CF₂O)_(n1)(CF₂CF₂O)_(m1)(CF₂(CF₂)_(z)CF₂O)_(p1)(O)_(h)—X₂  (I) wherein: X₁ and X₂, equal to or different from each other, are chain end groups selected among —CF₂COF, —COF, —SO₂F; n1, m1, p1 and h are integers such that the number average molecular weight is in the range 700-100,000, preferably 1,500-40,000; z=1 or 2; with the proviso that: the m1/n1 ratio is between 0.2 and 10; the p1/(n1+m1) ratio is lower than 0.05; the h/(n1+m1+p1) ratio is such that the PO content, defined as grams of active oxygen/100 g of compound, is in the range 0.8-4.5, preferably 1.4-3.8; the perfluorooxyalkylene units being statistically distributed along the polymeric chain; said process carried out by photooxidation, in the presence of CF₂═CFSO₂F (perfluoroethylen sulphonyl fluoride, PFESF), of tetrafluoroethylene (TFE) in the presence of UV light having wave length between 200 and 350 nm, at a temperature in the range from −30° C. to −100° C., by using solvents, liquid under the reaction conditions, selected from perfluorocarbons and (mono)hydrofluorocarbons, having the following general formula: C_(y)F_((2y+2−x))H_(x)  (II) wherein y is an integer from 2 to 4; x is an integer equal to 0 or 1; or related mixtures.
 3. A process according to claim 2 carried out in a semicontinuous or continuous way, by feeding in the reaction solvent TFE and oxygen in molar excess with respect to TFE, the molar excess preferably being from 1.1 to 3, and by contemporaneously feeding PFESF, at the gaseous or liquid state, with flow rates such that the molar ratio PFESF/TFE is between 0.005 and 0.5, preferably between 0.01 and 0.1, extremes included.
 4. A process according to claim 2, wherein the solvents of formula (II) are selected from the following: perfluoropropane (C₃F₈), hydropentafluoroethane (C₂F₅H) and 2-hydroheptafluoropropane (CF₃CFHCF₃), or related mixtures.
 5. Use of the peroxidic perfluoropolyethers of formula (I) as polymerization initiators for preparing crystalline or partially crystalline (per)fluoroelastomers or (per)fluoropolymers.
 6. Bifunctional non peroxidic perfluoropolyethers, with functionality F=2, obtainable by chemical reduction of the peroxidic perfluoropolyethers of formula (I) of claim 1, having formula: Y₁—O(CF₂O)_(n1)(CF₂CF₂O)_(m1)(CF₂(CF₂)_(z)CF₂O)_(p1)—Y₂  (III) wherein: z is as above; n1, m1 and p1 are integers such that the number average molecular weight is in the range 400-20,000, preferably 450-10,000; with the proviso that: the m1/n1 ratio is in the range 0.2-10; the p1/(n1+m1) ratio is lower than 0.05; Y₁ and Y₂ are end groups —CF₂COX^(A), equal to or different from each other, wherein X^(A) is F, OH, OR, wherein R is CH₃ or C₂H₅; the perfluorooxyalkylene units being statistically distributed along the polymeric chain.
 7. Non peroxidic perfluoropolyethers with functionality F=2, having formula: T_(k)-A_(q)—CF₂—O(CF₂O)_(n1)(CF₂CF₂O)_(m1)(CF₂(CF₂)_(z)CF₂O)_(p1)—CF₂-A_(q)-T_(k)  (IV) wherein A is a linking bridge bound to the end group —CF₂— of the pefluoropolyether chain; T represents one or more functional groups; k and q are integers, k ranges from 1 to 4, preferably from 1 to 2, q is an integer from 0 to 1; z is as above; n1, m1 and p1 are integers such that the number average molecular weight is in the range 400-20,000, preferably 450-10,000; with the proviso that: the m1/n1 ratio is between 0.2 and 10; the p1/(n1+m1) ratio is lower than 0.05.
 8. Non peroxidic perfluoropolyethers according to claim 7, wherein linking bridge A is a linking bivalent radical between the perfluoromethylene gr of the fluorinated chain and the end groups T.
 9. Non peroxidic perfluoropolyethers according to claim 8, wherein A is a linear aliphatic group —(CH₂)_(m)— wherein m′ is an integer from 1 to 20, or (alkylen)cycloaliphatic, (alkylen)aromatic; A optionally contains heteroatoms in the alkylene chain or in the ring when A contains cyclic structures; A is optionally constituted by both a linear and branched polyalkylenoxy chain, preferably containing repeating units of the CH₂CH₂O, CH₂CH(CH₃)O, (CH₂)₃O, (CH₂)₄O type.
 10. Non peroxidic perfluoropolyethers according to claim 8, wherein A contains amidic groups, ester, ether, COO, sulphur, imine groups.
 11. Non peroxidic perfluoropolyethers according to claim 7, wherein in A the number of carbon atoms of the cycloaliphatic groups ranges from 3 to 20, and that of the aromatic groups from 6 to 20; the group A is optionally formed also by combining among each other the above mentioned aliphatic, cycloaliphatic and aromatic groups.
 12. Non peroxidic perfluoropolyethers according to claim 7, wherein the linking functional group of A with the perfluoromethylene group of the fluorinated chain is selected from —C—; —O—; —CONR—, R having the following meanings: H, C₁-C₁₅ alkyl, C₃-C₁₅ cycloaliphatic or C₆-C₁₅ aromatic groups; —CO₂—; —COS—; —CO—; one heteroatom, or triazine, or heterocyclic aromatic groups having 5 or 6 atoms containing 2 or more heteroatoms, equal to or different from each other.
 13. Non peroxidic perfluoropolyethers according to claim 7, wherein T is selected from the following groups: —SH, —SR′, —NR′₂, —COOH, —SiR′_(d)Q_(3-d), —CN, —NCO, CH═CH₂,

—COR′, —OSO₂CF₃, —OCOCl, —OCN, —N(R′)CN, —(O)COC(O)—, —I, —CHO, —CO, —CH(OCH₃)₂, —SO₂Cl, —C(OCH₃)═NH, —C(NH₂)═NH, —CH(OH)CH₂OH, —CH(COOH)₂, —CH(COOR′)₂, —CH(CH₂OH)₂, —CH(CH₂NH₂)₂, —CH(CN)₂, —CH(CH₂OCH₂CH═CH₂)₂, an aromatic radical substituted with a methylendioxy group:

—OH, with the proviso that A is different from methylene and from a polyalkylenoxy chain as defined in claim 9; wherein R′ is an alkyl, cyclioaliphatic or aromatic group, R′ optionally contains fluorine, Q is an OR′ group, d is an integer between 0 and
 3. 14. Peroxidic perfluoropolyethers according to claim 1 with functionality F=2 having formula (IA), obtainable by treating the peroxidic perfluoropolyethers of claim 1 with alkaline fluorides, optionally in the presence of a solvent, at temperatures from 50° C. to 200° C.: X₃—O(CF₂O)_(n1)(CF₂CF₂O)_(m1)(CF₂(CF₂)_(z)CF₂O)_(p1)(O)_(h)—X₃  (IA) wherein: X₃=—CF₂COF; n1, m1, p1 and h are integers such that the number average molecular weight is in the range 700-100,000, preferably 1,500-40,000; z=1 or 2; with the proviso that: the m1/n1 ratio is between 0.2 and 10; the p1/(n1+m1) ratio is lower than 0.05; the h/(n1+m1+p1) ratio is such that the PO content, defined as grams of active oxygen/100 g of compound, is between 0.8 and 4.5, preferably between 1.4 and 3.8; the perfluorooxyalkylene units being statistically distributed along the polymeric chain. 